tor's care suffered terribly,
panting in the great heat as they did, feeling the pangs of Tantalus,
for there, always glittering before their eyes in the pure air, were the
mountain-peaks draped in fold upon fold of the purest ice and snow.

"We should lose 'em all, poor fellows!" the Doctor said, "if it were not
for these glorious evenings and perfect nights. It wouldn't matter so
much if we could get a few mule-loads of the ice from up yonder. Can't
be done, I suppose?"

"No," said Colonel Graves sadly. "Plenty of men would volunteer, but,
much as every one is suffering--the ladies almost as bad as your
wounded, Morton--I dare not send them, for they would never get back
with their loads. Many of the brave fellows would straggle back, of
course, but instead of bringing ice, Doctor, they would be bearing their
wounded and dead comrades."

"Yes, that's what I feel," sighed the Doctor, "and, Heaven knows, we
don't want any more patients. Must be content with what coolness we get
at night."

"And that's glorious," said the Major, wiping his wet brow.

"Delightful," added Captain Roberts. "It's the making of poor old
Bracy. He seems to hang his head and droop more and more every day,
till the sun goes down, and to begin to pick up again with the first
breath that comes down from between the two big peaks there--what do
they call them--Erpah and Brum?"

"Ha! wish it was coming now," said the Doctor; "iced and pure air, to
sweep right down the valley and clear away all the hot air, while it
cools the sides of the precipices."

"Why don't you let me go, Colonel!" said Drummond suddenly. "I want to
get some ice badly for poor old Bracy. Six mules, six drivers, and a
dozen of our boys. Oh, I could do it. Let me go, sir."

The Colonel shook his head, and every day at the hottest time Drummond
proposed the same thing; till on the last day, after gradually growing
weaker in his determination, urged as he was on all sides by the
sufferers in hospital, the wan looks of the ladies, and the longings of
the men, the Colonel said:

"Well, Mr Drummond, I'll sleep on it to-night, and if I come to a
determination favourable to the proposition, you shall go; but not
alone. One of my officers must go with you."

"Glad to have him, sir," cried the subaltern eagerly. "Whom will you
send, sir?"

"I'll volunteer, sir," said Roberts quietly.

"Good," said the Colonel; "so it will be as well for you and Drummond
here t